Lost Patrol (2000) Board Game
Lost Patrol is a board game released in 2000 that is set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, in which players take on the roles of Space Marine Scouts stranded on a hostile planet. The game was designed by David Gallagher, Neil Hodgson, Nuala Kennedy, Stef Kopinski, and Markus Trenkner, and features miniatures and a modular board for exploration in a science fiction setting.
Game Components of Lost Patrol
– 5 Space Marine Scout miniatures
– 18 Lurker tokens
– 30 map tiles
– 3 dice
– Rule book
– 5 updated Space Marine Scout miniatures
– 12 Genestealer miniatures
– 6 Infestation miniatures
– 30 map tiles
– 3 dice
– Rule book
How To Setup Lost Patrol
To set up Lost Patrol, players start by laying out the modular board using the 30 map tiles. The tiles are arranged randomly to create a unique jungle path for each game. The Space Marine Scout player places their five miniatures on the starting tile, while the Lurker or Genestealer player prepares their tokens or miniatures according to the rules. The game includes various tiles, such as tangle weed tiles that slow down the Scouts, and Infestation Nodes that allow Genestealers to spawn.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
– The Space Marine Scouts aim to navigate through the jungle and reach the final drop pod tile to win.
– The Lurkers or Genestealers aim to eliminate the Scouts before they can achieve this goal.
– Can move and fire as separate or combined actions.
– Roll dice to hit Lurkers or Genestealers, with the Heavy Bolter rolling more dice.
– Can add new tokens or miniatures, move existing stacks, or attack Scouts.
– Genestealers can spawn from Infestation Nodes and attack by grouping next to Scout models.
– Scouts roll dice and keep the highest roll to defend against Lurker or Genestealer attacks.
– Lurkers or Genestealers attack based on the number of tokens or miniatures in a stack.
Player Experience
Playing Lost Patrol can be a tense and challenging experience, especially for the Space Marine Scout player. The game is designed to be highly unfavorable to the Scouts, making survival a significant achievement. Players often find it necessary to implement house rules to balance the game, such as increasing the number of dice rolled for Scout attacks. The atmosphere of being hunted by an unseen or relentless enemy adds to the game’s excitement and dread.
Pros
– The game’s jungle Death World setting and detailed miniatures create a vivid and immersive experience.
– The modular board ensures a unique layout for each game.
– The Lurker or Genestealer player must strategically manage their tokens or miniatures to effectively hunt the Scouts.
Cons
– The game is heavily skewed against the Space Marine Scouts, making it difficult for them to win without house rules.
– The Genestealer player’s actions can become repetitive and less engaging over time.
Personal Thoughts on Lost Patrol
Lost Patrol is ideal for fans of the Warhammer 40,000 universe and those who enjoy strategic, asymmetric games. However, due to its challenging nature, it may not be the best fit for casual players or those seeking a balanced gameplay experience. For enthusiasts of tactical combat and survival scenarios, Lost Patrol offers a thrilling, if often frustrating, adventure through a deadly jungle environment.
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